This verse slows down the narrative and heightens the suspense before the surprise victory of the Israelites. The Benjaminites, lulled by past victories, were tricked into thinking that they would win, as the Israelites drew them further and further into the open.

And the Benjaminites said: The Hebrew waw conjunction rendered And may be translated “Then” in this context. The general verb said may mean “shouted” (New Living Translation) as the Benjaminites (literally “the sons [or, children] of Benjamin”) anticipated yet another victory. However, it is more likely that the quotation here portrays their thoughts, so we might say “thought” (New Revised Standard Version, New Jerusalem Bible) or “said to themselves.” As in the account of Sisera and his mother (verse 5.28), dialogue reveals the inner thoughts of the characters in the story. Both here and in Deborah’s victory song, Israel’s enemies (in this case, Benjamin) gloat over past victories and fall into the eternal trap: pride.

They are routed before us, as at the first: As the battle rages, the Benjaminites are tricked into thinking they are winning. They declare their victory, even as they fight. The Hebrew verb rendered routed can mean “strike,” “stumble,” or in this context, “defeat.” Before us is literally “before our faces.” Good News Translation says “We’ve beaten them,” but New International Version seems closer to the meaning with “We are defeating them.” We might also say “They’re falling, right before our eyes.” Contemporary English Version‘s “We’re mowing them down” seems too colloquial here.

As at the first is a literal rendering of the Hebrew. Good News Translation and New International Version say “as before,” and Contemporary English Version has “like we did before.”

But the men of Israel said: But is a good rendering of the Hebrew waw conjunction here, because it introduces the contrasting words of the Israelites and highlights the trick they are about to play on the Benjaminites. It may be translated “But unknown to them” or “But unfortunately for them.” In some languages “Meanwhile” might also be a possibility. The general verb said may be rendered “said to each other.”

Let us flee: The Hebrew verb rendered flee (nus) means “run away,” as when Sisera fled on foot from the battle against Deborah and Barak (see verse 4.15). However, here the Israelites are not fleeing because of fear, trying to escape. Rather, they are pretending to flee. To avoid confusion, translators might prefer to say “Let’s retreat” (New International Version) or “Let’s move back.”

And draw them away from the city to the highways: By retreating the Israelites want to draw the Benjaminites away from Gibeah. For draw away, see verse 20.31. The city is Gibeah, the place of refuge for the Benjaminite soldiers. The highways refers to the two roads mentioned in verse 20.31 (see comments there).

Several versions have changed from direct to indirect speech here (so Revised English Bible, Bible en français courant). Though this is acceptable, it robs the narrative of some of its liveliness and suspense. Some possible models for this verse are:

• Then the Benjaminites cried out, “We’re beating them, like the first time!”
But [unknown to them] the Israelites gave the order, “Retreat and draw them away from the town out onto the roads!”

• Then the Benjaminites thought to themselves, “We’re defeating them, just like we did before.”
Meanwhile the Israelites said, “Let’s draw back and entice them out on the roads, away from their town.”

Quoted with permission from Zogbo, Lynell and Ogden, Graham S. A Handbook on Judges. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2019. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .